City of Bellingham Arts Commission

**Artist Compensation and Honoraria Standards** Following the vote to approve the Farmers Market mural, several commissioners raised concern that the $2,500 artist budget is on the low end for a project of this scope and that the Commission should develop guidelines or best practices for mural artist compensation. Commissioners noted the contrast between a $2,500 mural budget and the $75,000+ budgets flowing through the Percent for the Arts program for roundabout installations. One commissioner specifically called for the record to reflect that artist compensation for this kind of work should be higher, and that entities and businesses approaching the city for murals should be directed to resources that help them budget appropriately. Staff suggested that a formal approach to outside entities could include a referral to the Commission for guidance on budget adequacy before projects proceed. The discussion did not produce a formal motion but was flagged as a future agenda item. **Federal Funding and Public Art — The Eldridge Bridge Problem** The Eldridge Avenue bridge replacement presents a structural challenge for the Percent for the Arts program: the project is 100% federally funded, and federal grants prohibit direct expenditure on art. Staff and Public Works proposed threading the needle by embedding artistic elements — particularly historically inspired railings, luminaires, and under-bridge arch detailing — into the bridge's structural design, making those elements fundable as construction costs rather than standalone art. Commissioners strongly endorsed this approach in principle but pushed for earlier and deeper artist involvement. The Commission argued that the Percent for the Arts program is not merely a funding mechanism for objects but a vehicle for directing economic resources to artists and for integrating creative vision from the start of a project — not tacking design flourishes onto an engineer-led structure after the fact. A commissioner specifically advocated for a formal artist solicitation (RFQ/RFP process) in which artists with historic preservation expertise could propose creative concepts in collaboration with the engineering team from the beginning, rather than simply advising on details already fixed. Tim Hohmann acknowledged the Commission's point, noted that the project is still in early scoping, and committed to raising with KPFF the possibility of adding an artist or artist-designer with historic preservation background to the consultant team. He noted that he would need to verify whether federal grant terms restrict the type of consultants that can be engaged (e.g., whether an artist could be funded as a design consultant using federal dollars). Commissioners and Hohmann agreed that railings and lighting are the most clearly fundable artistic elements under the federal grant and that the under-bridge arch structure offers additional possibility. A secondary thread in the discussion concerned the bridge's material. The federal grant originally specified a concrete bridge, but KPFF was the only bidder to raise the possibility of a steel alternative. A steel bridge may be structurally preferable given constraints from an existing creek, road, and former railroad grade beneath the bridge that must be navigated in pier placement. The Commission noted that steel offers significantly different artistic possibilities than concrete, and Hohmann committed to clarifying the material decision by the time he retur…

**Chloe Knox, Bellingham Farmers Market Director (presenter)** Presented the mural proposal for the Farmers Market shipping container. Expressed enthusiasm for the selected artist, Laura Thomsen, noting her local roots and personal connection to the market. Acknowledged the artist's inexperience with corrugated metal as a surface but expressed confidence in her support network. Clarified that the $2,500 budget covers artist labor and materials only; surface prep, painting of the three non-mural sides, and protective coatings are separate budget items. **Laura Thomsen, artist (not present; represented through proposal)** Bellingham-based graphic designer with over seven years of experience and a personal connection to the Farmers Market (first job was at the market). The proposed mural celebrates local agriculture through a graphic, design-focused illustration. Plans to use projection or a template method to transfer the design to the corrugated metal surface, with assistance from local painter Justin Thomsen (her brother). **Tim Hohmann, P.E., Engineering Manager, Public Works (presenter)** Presented on behalf of Public Works on both the Eldridge Bridge and James/Bakerview projects. Framed his appearance as part of a deliberate effort by himself and his supervisor (the new Assistant Director of Engineering) to collaborate more proactively with the Arts Commission and other city bodies earlier in project timelines. Acknowledged a backlog of projects that should have come to the Commission sooner. Committed to consulting KPFF about adding artist expertise to the design team, clarifying material selection (concrete vs. steel) before next appearance, and incorporating power infrastructure into the James/Bakerview roundabout construction. Ex…

**Chloe Knox, on the mural design:** "We asked for something celebrating the beauty of our local Ag as the primary subject. And she really delivered, we think, with something. It's really graphic, very design-focused image. It's exciting to us at the market, because it's very photogenic. It has a widespread appeal from all of our market audiences." **Tim Hohmann, on the federal funding constraint:** "The threat with Federal funding is you lose the Federal funding, and then we live off Federal…

**Before this meeting:** - The Eldridge Bridge replacement was proceeding through federal grant processes with no formal Arts Commission involvement or approved art approach. - The James/Bakerview Roundabout, Telegraph Road, and James Street Segments 3 & 4 projects had no approved direction for Percent for the Arts funds, and the projects had not been formally presented to the Commission despite being underway. - The Farmers Market shipping container had no approved mural design. - The Arts Commission had no formal guidance from Public Works on roundabout infrastructure standardization for art integration. **After this meeting:** - The Farmers Market mural by Laura Thomsen is approved; installation may proceed. - The Eldridge Bridge has an approved art approach: aesthetic and historic elements will be incorporated into the structural design, with Commission input at 30% desig…

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